Weekly Wrap

Dear all,

Welcome to week 6. What a big week it has been.

 

VEX Robotics

On Saturday our College became the proud winners of the Regional Vex Robotics Championships. They have now qualified for the National Vex Robotics Championships in Sydney, beating a team that qualified for the World Championships last year, along the way. Our team will be travelling to Sydney to compete in the Nationals later this year. This team has formed through the dynamic Robotics Club that meet in our STEAM Centre on Monday and Friday each week. The dedication and commitment of all students and staff involved is something we are very proud of. Congratulations!

STEAM ACADEMY

In 2024, Forest Hill College plans to introduce a STEAM Academy into suite of Sport and Performing Arts Academies for FHC students.

 

We have engaged the expertise of a Primary School Curriculum specialist to assist our STEAM staff write the program. Our current Academy structure provides a great foundation upon which to build and introduce this unique opportunity. In 2024 it will be designed to accommodate students from Year 7 to 12, with a passion for all things Robotics, Coding, 3D Printing and Drones. The Academy will be focusing on how best to use technology to drive sustainable solutions to current world climate challenges and socio-economic disadvantage.

 

Right now, however, if you have a student in Grade 4 – 6 who loves all things STEAM, we are launching our Junior STEAM Academy.  Registrations are open now for this 6 week program, starting on Wednesday 31^st August at 4pm. Click here to book.

Excursions

This week saw lots of excursion activity.

On Monday our Year 11’s had the opportunity to visit La Trobe University where they had the opportunity to participate in study skills sessions, discuss career goal setting and tour the facilities.  Those students who have an interest in studying law were able to experience a mock court room.

Today, it was all about experiencing the Werribee Open Range Zoo.  The students all got the opportunity to ride on the Safari Bus, a wonderful thrill everyone.  Forest Hill College is proud to deliver programs that truly bring learning to life. Our vision statement is “to inspire passionate, positive and curious learners.” Excursions are a fundamental element of delivering on this. What better way to learn about open plains safari animals than taking a ride on the Safari Bus at Werribee Open Plains Zoo.

Facilities Update

You may have noticed some marks have appeared on the ground around the driveway and gym area over the past few days. These are part the survey work currently taking place to prepare for the construction of a new accessible path and other works to improve access and safety around the College.  The new accessible path will run from the Mahoneys Rd gate all the way to the General Office on the oval side of the driveway, and a new a branch path will connect to the Synthetic Pitch along with the tennis courts. There will also be access upgrades in the area in front of the gym and theatre, as well as improvements to building access with automatic doors. We’re really excited about the enhanced access this will provide to all members of our community.

 

 

 

 

Book Week 2022

Dreaming with eyes open

August 20^th – 26^th is the annual Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week.

Book Week has been celebrated every year since 1945 and is all about bringing children and books together across Australia.

One of the final events of Book Week is the announcement of the CBCA Book of the Year Winners.  The school library has a copy of all the books that are on the short-list of the Book of the Year prize for older readers, and we look forward to sharing the winning book with our school community next week.

Whilst we like to think that every week is book week in the school library, next week is a great time for everyone in our school community to spend time reading a book or to read a book to someone.

The library Instagram account will be featuring photos all next week of staff and students with a favourite book, so keep an eye out for some great reading suggestions.

Also of great excitement to the school library team is that Wednesday August 24^th is the inaugural Australian School Library Day.

This is a chance to celebrate all things school libraries.

Not all schools have a school library, and even if they do, not all of them have full time library staff. At FHC we are grateful that the school leadership and the school community see the value in having a school library.

A school library is about more than books. Our library is busy every day with students reading, studying, socializing, playing chess, doing jigsaw puzzles, and just generally knowing that they are in a safe space where everyone is welcome.

Our library staff are passionate. Passionate about reading, passionate about libraries, and passionate about creating an inviting environment where students feel welcome, and we are continually making changes to ensure the library meets the needs of our students and staff.

If you would like to follow along with all our adventures in the school library, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram (@fhclibrary)

Just scan in the QR code and join in the daily life of the school library.